New O'day 20 owner

[smoothwater]

I just purchased an o'day 20 and am looking for some model specific information and advice. I'm especially curious about that little bilge area, and how to keep it dry and clean, would it be ok to add a chemical (bleach) dilution to keep the bacteria down? How about a blower? I'm also curious about any upgrades and changes that have worked well for others. I plan on adding flotation this winter, possibly with a self tending jib and a traveler, the addition of a compass, and some other fun toys to make it a compitable day sailer, then an over nighter, then a cruiser as work progresses. I'd appresheate any help or advice I can get.

Thanks!

-Keith

 

[Ben]

Oday 20 advice

1) That little bilge area is curious, isn't it? The bilge is so shallow that if you keep your boat on a trailer, the bilge will completely dry out in a day or two each time. I've never had enough water in it to even try my bilge pump.
2) It's funny that you're going to add flotation. I just ripped out a bunch of it (under the v-berth) to gain stowage! A four day "cruise" in Pensacola necessitated that for cooking items, food, etc. I figure, if I fill the boat with water, it's my own damned fault and I deserve to swim home. But if you've got kids or something, I can understand your caution.
3) Think long and hard before you invest time and/or money in a self tending jib. The 110 (or whatever it is that comes with the boat) tends itself quite well, thank you, and by definition a self-tending jib has to be small enough to pass through the foretriangle by itself. That means it's very small and you need all the sail power you can get on what is already a sort-of under-powered boat. I've never had any problem single-handing my 20 with the regular jib and main. (Mine's a 1975 and the sails are ORIGINAL! OK...so I don't win many races.)
4) Dude...ya gotta have a compass.
5) Don't hesitate to post more questions on this site as they come up. These guys have saved me money and frustration more than once. Enjoy your boat!

 

[smoothwater]

More ideas

Hi Ben,

Thanks for the advice. The boat is in good condition overall, but could use a little work. I'm just about done replacing a massive section of the deck core. Someone added a vent without any sealant at all and the moisture worked its way back. I find it hard to determine and stick to a stopping point when I start work on something I love, and I want to get to the other fittings sealed up before too long.

About the flotation, can you give me a rough estimate as to how much or what type? I've looked at spray foam but was worried it would trap water. I assume most of it was under the V birth but some must have been in the side compartments and below the cockpit. I also noticed a bulkheads in the starboard bench compartments but fewer at port, did you add any? These would help rigidity and help prevent water from flowing back into the rest of the boat if breached near the bow.

I'm also curious how to inspect the through-hulls, they seem to be pretty well unaccessible. Also considering upping the 0.5" drain, but this would be a big project.

There don't seem to be any place to safely keep fuel (gas or propane) so was considering adding a fuel locker under in the port bench to mirror the one opposite. It'd need to be sealed save a vent overboard to let gas escape.

Anyway, just a few random ideas, mostly for the winter. Right now I just want to get it on the water! Let me know if you have any more ideas.

 

[ruidh]

Sounds Familiar

This sounds like me last year with my O23. I got her in nid-July and spent a month making her seaworthy. Then I daysailed from mid-August until the end of October. This past spring, I worked on comfort so I could overnight on the boat.

I would definitely encourage trimming the project list down to safety and seaworthiness this year and get some sailing in.